Production Value Matters: The Business Event Podcast

Is your AV partner really your choice or your venue’s? Event technology is no longer just background. It's the very fabric of how audiences experience events. In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne speaks with Tim Lang, President of Proshow Audiovisual and President of the Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association (CAVPA), about the transformation of AV, industry advoca...

How can event teams keep pace with AI, without losing the human connection audiences crave? In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne is joined by world-renowned leadership and teamwork expert Dr. David Burkus to unpack the real drivers of event transformation in 2025. Together they dive into why in-person events will matter more than ever in an AI-saturated world, how to tr...

Why does one of the world’s most powerful industries still struggle with fragmentation, burnout, and undervaluation?   In this powerful episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne sits down with Stacy Wyatt—publisher, producer, and founder of Canadian Special Events (CSE) . Together, they unpack the urgent challenges facing the events industry and why now is the time to act. From...

In this special on-site edition of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne takes the mic straight to the show floor at CMEE 2025 to ask one question: What’s truly valuable in event production and what’s just a waste of time, money, or energy?  Event pros from across the industry share candid, rapid-fire takes on what they’d keep, what they’d cut, and what actually makes an event memorabl...

Is your RFP helping you find the right partner—or just the best guesser? In this solo episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the most misunderstood—and misused—tools in event planning: the RFP. With decades of experience on the receiving end of these requests, Matthew unpacks why so many RFPs fall short and how to write ones that actual...

Colbert couldn’t survive the attention economy. Can your next event? Stephen Colbert’s Late Show once pulled in millions of viewers. But recently, CBS canceled it after losing $40 million a year. Why? Not because the content was bad, but because the format no longer fit how people consume content today. In this solo episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne explains why this isn’t j...

According to award-winning strategist Beth Lawrence, it’s not the format, it’s how people feel. In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne sits down with Beth Lawrence , an award-winning event strategist and Chief Experience Officer of Beth Lawrence Meetings & Events, to explore how empathy and personalization can elevate event strategy in a time of uncertainty and pressu...

In this solo episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne takes you backstage—before the lights, before the walk-on music, before the chaos. Drawing from two decades of production experience, Matthew breaks down how a missed pre-event meeting can unravel even the most polished event in its first three minutes. This is not a conversation about gear. It’s about leadership, communication,...

What does it really mean to be a professional in the events industry? And who gets to decide?  In this no-holds-barred panel, Matthew Byrne is joined by Nick Borelli and Evan Babins to dive into one of the most urgent and unresolved debates in business events today: what qualifies someone to call themselves a professional—and who’s responsible for upholding standards ?  This episode cove...

Experiential marketing isn’t a line item. It’s a strategic driver of culture, commerce, and community. In this episode of Production Value Matters , Matthew Byrne sits down with Brook Jay, a pioneer in the experiential space and founder of All Terrain, to unpack how top brands are rethinking the power of real-world connections. Brook shares how her agency has evolved to connect digital, social, an...

Are rising costs forcing you to make tough calls on AV and production? Before you start slashing line items, listen to this. In this solo AV Advisor Q&A edition of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne answers your burning questions on AV and event production strategy. With economic pressures and tariffs continuing to impact event budgets, Matthew offers candid, expert advice on how to...

What’s the fastest way to kill a great show? Poor planning around entertainment. You booked a killer band. But did you think about sound check? Rider updates? That mic for your CEO’s speech? In this episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne is joined by Patrick McGannon, founder of PM GIGS, to unpack the real challenges and opportunities in booking live entertainment for business eve...

Is your event creating fans or just checking boxes? In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne welcomes Alex Shebar, founder of NYC Social Club and a seasoned strategist in community, content, and brand experience. From launching influencer programs at Yelp and Bumble to producing immersive campaigns with global brands like HBO and Amazon, Alex has seen what works—and what co...

In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne is joined by Candace Davis and Nick Borelli for a panel discussion that gets to the root of what’s really threatening the events industry in 2025: not just economics, but toxic uncertainty . Together, they explore how fear—not just cost—is driving cautious decisions, cancelled plans, and communication breakdowns across associations,...

What does your event stage really say about your brand?   In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne dives into one of the most exciting shifts in business events today: the evolution of stage design. What used to be a flat backdrop is now a powerful canvas for storytelling, innovation, and brand identity. Whether you're staging a product launch or a leadership summit, h...

What if your best event ROI isn’t in the lead list, but in a breakfast conversation? Event leaders today face an overwhelming challenge: prove event value, defend the budget, and deliver real business impact, all while expectations rise and resources shrink. If you’re still measuring success by foot traffic or lead scans, this episode will change the way you think. In this episode of Production Va...

In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne is joined by Isabelle Camp, Global Head of Events at Cohere, to break down what it really takes to design events that deliver measurable business impact.  From strategic planning to post-event automation, Isabelle shares the systems, team alignment strategies, and data practices that transform events into revenue engines. Whethe...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com What if your event tech worked like a personal concierge? Akshar Patel of eShow joins Matthew to reveal how smarter tools are streamlining planning, slashing stress, and leveling up the attendee experience. What you’ll learn: Strategies for integrating systems and breaking down data silos Common blind spots in operationa...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com In this episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne tackles a pressing question for marketing and event professionals: in a landscape dominated by AI-generated content, how do businesses break through the noise and build authentic connections with their audiences? You’ll learn: The current state of AI in cont...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com Matthew sits down with Nicola Kastner, powerhouse CEO of the exclusive Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), to uncover what’s really shaping event strategy in 2025 . From navigating economic turbulence to adapting to global policy shifts, they dive into the biggest challenges—and the smartest strategies—event leaders need to kn...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com Following the release of “The Power of Experiences” report, IMEX Group’s CEO Carina Bauer joins Matthew to discuss their key findings. Backed by the latest research, this report unveils a future where events don’t just connect people - they restore trust, ignite belonging, and spark real human connection. What you’ll lea...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com Get ready for a special edition episode: live from GO WEST, Canada’s premier gathering of meeting and event pros. Matthew teams up with a panel of industry experts including Tim Lang, President of Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association and ProShow Audio Visual; Andrea Carroll, Director of Experience and Production a...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com How are rising tariffs, trade wars, and global tensions shaping the future of the event industry? In this episode of Production Value Matters , host Matthew Byrne sits down with industry experts Nick Borelli and Evan Babins to break down how shifting trade policies and geopolitical uncertainty are impacting live events,...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com In this episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne is joined by Wendy Porter, founder and chief events officer at Wendy Porter Events. Join them as they discuss: Wendy's journey from acquisition marketing manager to founding her own event agency The importance of the "cranberry thread" - creating continuity...

For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com In this candid episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne sits down with Aaron Kaufman, President of Fifth Element Group, for a frank and unfiltered conversation about the events industry. Join them as they discuss: Why events is still considered a vocation rather than a true industry The lack of industry st...